Summary This position serves as a Medical Dosimetrist member of the radiation oncology team working collaboratively with the medical physicist and radiation oncologist meeting cancer patients needs through radiation therapy. Responsibilities The William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital is committed to fostering and sustaining an environment which celebrates diversity, provides equitable opportunities for employment and promotion, and supports inclusiveness in our culture. Together, we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that promote professional growth and teamwork, and are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We embrace our differences as individuals and unite as a team toward a common goal: to serve our nation's Veterans. Employees at this level are fully functional as a dosimetrist with the knowledge and experience to apply an advanced level of treatment planning and dosimetry procedures. Employees will have an in depth knowledge of computer programs and operations, and methodologies of data transfer and reconstruction. Performs complex 2D-3D treatment plans and presents to radiation oncologists for review and acceptance. Serves as an integral team member for brachytherapy procedures, utilizing ultrasound to determine volumetric data, positioning of templates for insertion of radioactive sources, and transfer of data from ultrasound equipment to treatment planning computers for generation of dose volume histograms (DVH).Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Dosimetrist) Duties:- Performs complex tasks as part of a medical team.- Serves as an integral team member for brachytherapy procedures, utilizing imaging technology to determine volumetric data, positioning of templates for insertion of radioactive sources, and transfer of data from imaging equipment to treatment planning computers for generation of dose volume histograms (DVH) and brachytherapy dosimetry.- Is familiar with High Dose Rate (HDR) and low dose rate (LDR) procedures.- Is a member of the radiation oncology team.- Works with physicians, medical physicists, and therapy staff.- Creates technical policies and procedures relevant to dosimetry.- Knowledge of the overall characteristics and clinical relevance of radiation oncology simulation and treatment equipment, including CT simulator and linear accelerator.- Practiced in procedures commonly used in external beam therapy, generate radiation dose distributions and dose calculations.- Must be highly familiar with current cancer treatment advances and protocols.- Uses professional judgment and critical thinking when performing treatment planning, recognizing and resolving equipment problems and treatment discrepancies, and recommending when treatment should be withheld until a physical can be consulted.- Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Dosimetrist/PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 15 days of the closing date of this announcement, 10/22/2024.BASICREQUIREMENTS: Certification: All applicants must be certified in medical dosimetry by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB). Certified Medical Dosimetry (CMD) is the recognized credential for Medical Dosimetrists. NOTE: CMDs who perform therapeutic radiologic technologist duties must also possess American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T) certification and be assigned to a functional statement that combines both types of work. Education/ Experience: Completion of a medical dosimetry program of at least 12 months long accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) and a baccalaureate degree is required. JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the medical dosimetry programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE, YOU MUST MEET THE GRADE REQUIREMENTS AT THE GS-12 LEVEL TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION.GS-12 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: You must possess at least 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. At the advanced level, Medical Dosimetrists are fully functional dosimetrist with the knowledge and experience applying an advanced level of treatment planning and dosimetry procedures. Medical Dosimetrists serve as an integral team member for complex treatment planning, QA verifications, weekly chart checks and ability to train on all aspects of the Record and Verify system. Medical Dosimetrists train staff, evaluate workload and ensure compliance with all necessary governing bodies and standard operation procedures. AND KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: You must also demonstrate the following KSAs:1)Skill at effective communication and leadership as demonstrated by providing orientation and training for staff, providing input for yearly appraisals, directing progress and coordination of workload, ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures and directives to provide continuity of care.2)Skill in providing guidance and expertise related to all aspects of the treatment planning process.3) Ability to resolve complex physical and geometric errors of the radiation equipment, simulation procedure and treatment delivery implementation.4) Knowledge of the care and use of radioactive resources for implementation and treatment delivery.5)Skill to independently perform complex treatment procedures as evidenced by completing tasks such as developing and troubleshooting highly complex isodose treatment plans delineating critical structures and tumor volumes, performing weekly chart checks, performing QA verifications and providing training on all aspects of the Record and Verify system such as Mosaiq or Aria.6)Ability to follow protocols including, but not limited to developing and implementing policies and standard operating procedures, participating in research programs and ensuring compliance with radiation safety office, national program office, accrediting agencies and follow established quality standard measures.7)Ability to perform the application of a broad range of specific methods of radiation measurements including, but not limited to, diode, ion chamber, thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD), or film measurement as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist and perform or assist with the QA procedures as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist. References: VA Handbook 5005/138, Part II, Appendix G66, Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Dosimetrist) Qualification Standard GS-648. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.